Adjusting reference signal reporting based on uplink channel conditions

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems for adjusting reference signal reporting based on path loss and fading and cell edge conditions experienced by wireless devices in 5G EN-DC networks. As the path loss increases, a period between reference signal reports (or a frequency of reference signal reports) can be increased. This ensures continued quality of service for the wireless devices. Reference signals can include SRS, DMRS, PTRS, etc.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

As wireless networks evolve and grow, there are ongoing challenges incommunicating data across different types of networks. For example, awireless network may include one or more access nodes, such as basestations, for providing wireless voice and data service to wirelessdevices in various coverage areas of the one or more access nodes. Aswireless technology continues to improve, different iterations of radioaccess technologies (RATs) may be deployed within a single wirelessnetwork. Such heterogeneous wireless networks can include newer 5G andmillimeter Wave (mmWave) networks, as well as older legacy networks. Insome cases, deployment of 5G new radio (NR) access nodes alongside orco-located with 4G long-term evolution (LTE) access nodes utilizes dualconnectivity technology (e.g. EN-DC), wherein control information istransmitted using the 4G RAT and data is transmitted using the 5G RAT.There are various potential deployments of EN-DC, such as one-to-one(where a 4G eNodeB is collocated with a 5G gNodeB at the same cell siteor radio access network), or distributed or one-to-many (where a 4GeNodeB at a first radio access network is coupled via X2 links to manydifferent 5G gNodeBs, each within their own radio access network or cellsite). Each radio access network (RAN) or cell site can further includea cell site router, which provides connectivity to other networkelements, such as an intermediate or core network. The connectionbetween the cell site router and other network elements closer to thecore network may be referred to as a mobile backhaul.

Further, as wireless device technology improves, different wirelessdevices are configured to use different types of applications (such asvoice over IP, streaming, gaming, etc.), and each different applicationmay optimally function with a different channel size or bandwidth. Whilechannel bandwidths in 4G are static, 5G can deploy various bandwidths,most of which are higher than 4G bandwidths. Further, wireless networksmay be configured to utilize multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO), inwhich multiple data streams can be directed towards one or more eligiblewireless devices via various combinations of antennae and transceiversbased on the orthogonality of transmission, thereby maximizingresources. MIMO can include single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO), multi-user MIMO(MU-MIMO), and massive MIMO (mMIMO), which extends MU-MIMO to antennaarrays coupled to base stations, the antenna arrays comprising largenumbers of controllable antenna elements that enable directing severalMU-MIMO streams to various groups or “pairings” of wireless devices.Beamforming is another transmission mode that is used to provide bettercoverage to wireless devices in specific locations within a coveragearea of a cell or access node. A beamforming downlink transmission modeuses multiple antennae to direct or “steer” signals from the antennaetowards a particular wireless device located at, for instance, a celledge. Both beamforming and MU-MIMO require the use of multiple antennae,with any performance gains being proportional to a number of antennaedeployed by a specific cell or access node. Further, both beamformingand MIMO have been identified as some of the promising air interfacetechnologies to address the capacity requirement required demanded by 5Gnetworks.

Beamforming, MIMO, and other transmissions modes are enabled by usingreference signals. For example, wireless devices can transmit uplinkreference signals that are analyzed by an access node to determine howto best serve these wireless devices via different transmission modes.While using uplink signals enabled better communication between wirelessdevices and access nodes, excessive uplink signaling can cause noise orinterference in uplink channels and affect quality of service.

Overview

Exemplary embodiments described herein include methods, systems, andprocessing nodes for adjusting reference signal reporting based onuplink channel conditions such as path loss or fading and cell edgeconditions. An exemplary method for adjusting reference signal reportingin dual-connectivity wireless networks based on channel conditionsincludes obtaining channel conditions for a communication channelbetween a wireless device and an access node and, based on the channelconditions, adjusting a reference signal reporting parameter for thewireless device.

Thus, an exemplary method for adjusting reference signal reporting caninclude determining that a path loss of a wireless device exceeds athreshold and increasing a reference signal reporting frequency for thewireless device.

Further, an exemplary method for adjusting reference signal reportingcan include determining that a fading parameter of a wireless deviceexceeds a threshold and increasing a reference signal reportingfrequency for the wireless device.

These operations can be performing for one or more wireless devicesindividually, or for all wireless devices within a sector. An exemplarymethod for adjusting reference signal reporting can include monitoringchannel conditions of a communication channel between a wireless deviceand an access node, and responsive to changes in the channel conditions,adjusting one or more reference signal reporting parameters for thewireless device.

Further, an exemplary method for adjusting reference signal reportingcan include monitoring channel conditions of a communication channelbetween one or more wireless devices within a sector and an access node,and responsive to changes in the channel conditions, adjusting one ormore reference signal reporting parameters for all the wireless deviceswithin the sector.

The exemplary embodiments described herein may be performed by aprocessing node within a system, such as a telecommunication system. Forexample, an exemplary system for adjusting reference signal reporting indual-connectivity networks based on channel conditions can include anaccess node that is capable of simultaneously receiving uplink data viaat least two different radio access technologies, and processing nodecommunicatively coupled to the access node. The processing node can beconfigured to perform operations including any of the operationsdescribed herein in any combination.

For example, an exemplary processing node can be configured to performoperations including monitoring channel conditions for a communicationchannel between one or more wireless devices and an access node, andresponsive to changes in the channel conditions, adjusting one or morereference signal reporting parameters for the one or more wirelessdevices. The channel conditions can include one or more of a path lossor a fading parameter, and the reference signal parameters can includeone or more of a reporting frequency or a timing offset. The operationsfurther include determining an increase in the path loss or the fadingparameter and increasing the reporting frequency or adjusting the timingoffset.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary system for adjusting reference signalreporting in dual-connectivity wireless networks based on channelconditions.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary processing node for adjusting referencesignal reporting in dual-connectivity wireless networks based on channelconditions.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary access node for adjusting reference signalreporting in dual-connectivity wireless networks based on channelconditions.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary collocated access node in adual-connectivity network.

FIG. 5 depicts exemplary distributed access nodes in a dual-connectivitynetwork.

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary method for adjusting reference signalreporting in dual-connectivity wireless networks based on channelconditions.

FIG. 7 depicts another exemplary method for adjusting reference signalreporting for a wireless device based on channel conditions of thewireless device.

FIG. 8 depicts another exemplary method for adjusting reference signalreporting for a sector based on channel conditions of wireless devicesin the sector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure provides methods and systems for adjustingreference signal reporting based on path loss and fading and cell edgeconditions experienced by wireless devices in 5G EN-DC networks. As thepath loss increases, a period between reference signal reports (or afrequency of reference signal reports) can be increased. This ensurescontinued quality of service for the wireless devices.

Exemplary heterogeneous dual-connectivity wireless networks describedherein include access nodes that are capable of communicating using aplurality of wireless air interfaces or RATs. For example, an accessnode can include a combination of a 4G eNodeB and a 5G gNodeB. In otherwords, the access node can be configured to communicate using 4G LTE aswell using 5G NR. In some embodiments, the access node can include a 4GeNodeB coupled to a plurality of 5G gNodeBs (one-to-many or distributedconfiguration). In similar embodiments, the access nodes can be selectedfrom either the eNodeB or one of the 5G gNodeBs. Thus, as furtherdescribed herein, the access nodes can be part of the same or differentcell sites or radio access networks (RANs), each RAN being served by adifferent cell site router.

Therefore, a method as described herein for adjusting reference signalreporting in dual-connectivity wireless networks based on channelconditions includes obtaining channel conditions for a communicationchannel between a wireless device and an access node and, based on thechannel conditions, adjusting a reference signal reporting parameter forthe wireless device. The adjusted reference signal reporting parametercan be transmitted to the wireless device, for example, in a radioresource control message or similar. The obtaining and adjustingoperations can be performed for second and third wireless devicesindividually. In another embodiment, the wireless device can be one of aplurality of wireless devices within a wireless sector served by theaccess node. In this case, the method further includes obtaining channelconditions for a plurality of communication channels between theplurality of wireless devices and the access node and adjusting asector-wide reference signal reporting parameter for the plurality ofwireless devices in the wireless sector. The sector-wide referencesignal reporting parameter can be broadcast to all wireless deviceswithin the sector.

Exemplary channel conditions that are monitored to determine how toadjust the reference signal reporting parameter can include one or moreof a path loss or a fading parameter. For example, a magnitude of a pathloss as reported by wireless devices can be used to adjust the referencesignal reporting frequency or period. Alternatively or in addition, afading parameter or a cell edge signal condition can be used to adjustthe reference signal reporting frequency or period. Therefore,determining an increase in the path loss can trigger an increase in areference signal reporting frequency. Further, the reference signalreporting parameter is associated with an uplink signal. For example,the uplink signal can include any of a sounding reference signal (SRS),a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), or a phase tracking referencesignal (PTRS). While the subject disclosure presents details related tothese uplink signals and their parameters, other parameters fordifferent reference signals and adjustments thereof may be envisioned bythose having ordinary skill in the art in light of this disclosure.

Further, the communication channel for which channel conditions areobtained/monitored can utilize at least two radio access technologies(RATs), such that the channel condition is associated with at least oneof the two RATs, and the reference signal parameter is adjusted for saidat least one of the two RATs. For example, different RAN configurationsfor EN-DC capable access nodes are described, with each RANconfiguration enabling participation in dual-connectivity using at leasttwo RATs. Exemplary access nodes described herein include schedulersthat are configured to adjust reference signal reporting parameters, theschedulers being coupled to different types of access nodes includingeNodeBs, gNodeBs, etc. For example, each access node can include aprimary access node configured to deploy carriers utilizing the a firstRAT, and the primary access node is coupled to one or more secondaryaccess nodes, each secondary access node configured to deploy carriersutilizing a second RAT. Alternatively, each access node comprises asecondary access node configured to deploy carriers utilizing the secondRAT, the secondary access node being coupled to a primary access nodeconfigured to deploy carriers utilizing the first RAT.

Thus, exemplary systems described herein for adjusting reference signalreporting parameters include one or more access nodes configured todeploy at least a 4G wireless air interface and a 5G wireless airinterface, and a processing node communicatively coupled to the accessnode(s). The processing node can be configured to perform any of theabove operations in various combinations. These and other embodimentsare further described herein and with reference to FIGS. 1-9 .

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary system 100 comprising a communicationnetwork 101, gateway 102, controller node 104, access node 110, andwireless devices 130. In this exemplary embodiment, access node 110 maybe a macrocell access node configured to deploy wireless air interfacesto which wireless devices 130 can attach and access network servicesfrom network 101. Further, access node 110 may be configured to deployat least two wireless air interfaces 115 using dual connectivity. Forexample, access node 110 can include a combination of an eNodeB and agNodeB, such that each access node is be configured to deploy a wirelessair interface using a first RAT (e.g. 4G LTE) and a second RAT (e.g. 5GNR). Each RAT can be configured to utilize a different frequency band orsub-band, a different channel size or bandwidth, and so on. For example,the 5G NR wireless air interface can be configured to utilize higherfrequencies and larger channel bandwidths than the 4G LTE wireless airinterface. Thus, the 5G NR wireless air interface can be used to deploybeamforming or MU-MIMO transmission modes. Further, access node 110 canbe configured to communicate using both RATs at the same time. Forexample, dual connections can be more than one of wireless devices 130functioning as relay nodes using both 4G and 5G wireless air interfaces115, with the 4G wireless air interface being used to transmit controlinformation, and the 5G wireless air interface being used to transmitdata information (e.g. via MIMO or beamforming). A processing nodewithin system 100 (for example, communicatively coupled to access node110 or any other network node) can be configured to determine whether ornot each wireless device 130 is capable of dual connectivity and/orcommunication using 5G NR, and instruct the access node 110 to broadcastan indicator in, for example, a system information message. Responsiveto the indicator, wireless devices 130 can attach to access node 110using the 4G wireless air interface to control and set up a dualconnectivity session. In other words, control information (including SIBmessages) is transmitted using the 4G LTE wireless air interface, whilethe 5G NR wireless air interface is utilized for transmission of data.Using the 5G RAT for data transmissions is advantageous, as 5G provideshigher bandwidths and frequencies versus 4G. Although only access node110 and wireless devices 130 are illustrated in FIG. 1 , system 100 caninclude various other combinations of carriers/wireless air interfaces,antenna elements, access nodes, and wireless devices, as may be evidentto those having ordinary skill in the art in light of this disclosure.

In an exemplary embodiment, the processing node is further is configuredto perform operations for adjusting reference signal reporting based onchannel conditions by obtaining channel conditions for communicationchannel(s) over wireless air interfaces 115 (between one or more ofwireless devices 130 and access node 110), and adjusting a referencesignal reporting parameter for the one or more of wireless devices 130based on the channel conditions. The adjusted reference signal reportingparameters can be transmitted to the wireless device(s) 130 e.g. in anRRC message or equivalent. The obtaining and adjusting operations can beperformed individually for each wireless device 130, such that differentwireless devices 130 utilize different time periods or frequencies ofreporting reference signals. Alternatively or in addition, channelconditions are obtained for a plurality of communication channels overwireless air interface 115 between wireless devices 130 and access node110, and a sector-wide reference signal reporting parameter for theplurality of wireless devices 130 in the wireless sector is determinedbased on the channel conditions. For example, an average path loss, celledge condition, or fading parameter can be determined for wirelessdevices 130. The sector-wide reference signal reporting parameter can bebroadcast to all wireless devices 130 within the sector.

As described herein, the channel conditions can include one or more of apath loss or a fading parameter. Generally, as channel conditions changewith time due to changes in the environment between the access node 110and wireless device 130, and mobility of wireless devices 130. Radiosignals are attenuated as they travel through the air. When atransmitted signal propagates through the air it encounters differentobjects, and the signal will be attenuated, delayed in time and phaseshifted due to reflection, diffraction and scattering. The attenuationcaused by distance is modeled as path loss. Path loss, or pathattenuation, is the reduction in power density (attenuation) of anelectromagnetic wave as it propagates through space. Path loss is amajor component in the analysis and design of the link budget of atelecommunication system. This term is commonly used in wirelesscommunications and signal propagation. Path loss may be due to manyeffects, such as free-space loss, refraction, diffraction, reflection,aperture-medium coupling loss, and absorption. Path loss is alsoinfluenced by terrain contours, environment (urban or rural, vegetationand foliage), propagation medium (dry or moist air), the distancebetween the transmitter and the receiver, and the height and location ofantennas. The path loss can be measured between a transmit power of asignal transmitted by a wireless device 130 and received power of thesignal received at the access node 110. The path loss may be measured atthe access node 110 based on a known transmit power of the wirelessdevice 130. In other words, the path loss indicates a loss of power of asignal between transmission and reception. Generally, the path loss canbe used by the access node to perform fractional power controloperations, which can include instructing a wireless device 130 toincrease a transmit power based on the measured path loss. In anotherexemplary embodiment, the path loss may be equivalent to a path loss ofa downlink signal measured at the wireless device 130. In other words,since the path loss is representative of signal losses occurring in thespace between the wireless device and the access node, uplink anddownlink signals are likely to suffer the same amount of path losses.Further, the fading parameter can indicate any variation of theattenuation of a signal with various variables. These variables includetime, geographical position, and radio frequency. Fading is oftenmodeled as a random process. A fading channel is a communication channelthat experiences fading. In wireless systems, fading may either be dueto multipath propagation, referred to as multipath-induced fading,weather (particularly rain), or shadowing from obstacles affecting thewave propagation, sometimes referred to as shadow fading. The signalvariations due to diffraction are modeled as shadow fading (shadowing),whereas the effects of reflections are taken as multipath fading(multipath).

Thus, upon determining an increase in the path loss or fading parameter,the reference signal reporting parameter can be adjusted. For example,if the reference signal reporting parameter is a frequency, then thefrequency is increased responsive to the path loss or fading parameterincreasing past a threshold. Further, the reference signal reportingparameter is associated with an uplink signal. For example, the uplinksignal can include one or more of: a sounding reference signal (SRS), ademodulation reference signal (DMRS), or a phase tracking referencesignal (PTRS). The SRS is typically transmitted by the wireless devices130 to help the access node 110 obtain the channel state information(CSI) for each user. The CSI describes how data is propagated (via 4G or5G wireless air interface 115) from the wireless devices 130 to theaccess node 110, and can indicate the combined effect of scattering,fading, and power decay with distance. System 100 can use the SRS forresource scheduling, link adaptation, massive MIMO, and beam management(e.g. beamforming). The SRS can be transmitted by wireless devices 130on the last symbol of a subframe, and reports the channel quality ofoverall bandwidth, based on which the access node 110 can assignresources for specific bandwidth channels versus other regions ofbandwidth. Information in the SRS can be specific to a wireless device130. Multiple SRS symbols allow coverage extension and increasedsounding capacity. There can be two or more types of SRS as defined insections 36.211 of the 3GPP specification: cell specific (common SRS)and device specific (dedicated SRS). Further, there are periodic andaperiodic SRS. Thus, a reporting parameter for the SRS can also includea periodicity, with a minimum periodicity of SRS being 2 ms (1 ms=1subframe) and the maximum being 320 ms. Access nodes can distinguish thedevice-specific SRS in case of overlapped SRS transmission, usingtransmission_comb parameter and cyclic shift parameters configurable viathe RRC setup and RRC reconfiguration messages. Further, the DMRS can bean uplink or downlink signal, is specific for specific wireless devices130, and used to estimate the radio channel. The DMRS can be beamformed,scheduled within a scheduled resource, and transmitted only whennecessary in either downlink or uplink. Additionally, multipleorthogonal DMRSs can be allocated to support MIMO transmission. Theaccess node 110 can configure the DMRS during initial decodingrequirement that low-latency applications need, but it only occasionallypresents this information for low-speed scenarios in which the channelshows little change. In high-mobility scenarios to track fast changes inchannel, the rate of transmission of the DMRS signal can be increased.The DMRS is used by a receiver for radio channel estimation fordemodulation of associated physical channel. DMRS design and mapping isspecific to each Downlink and Uplink NR channels including NR-PBCH,NR-PDCCH, NR-PDSCH, NR-PUSCH, NR-PUSCH. The DMRS is used for channelestimation and for coherent demodulation. If the DMRS is of poor qualityor not decoded properly by access node 110, the PUSCH or PUCCH will benot decoded as well. Hence DMRS indicates a channel quality of afrequency region in which PUSCH or PUCCH is being transmitted. Forexample, the measured or obtained channel conditions can be isassociated with at least one of the two RATs (i.e. 4G, 5G) and thereference signal parameter is adjusted for said at least one of the twoRATs. Positioning of DMRS in the resource grid varies according to thePUCCH format indicator. But in case of PUSCH it can be the center symbolof a slot. To support a large number of wireless devices 130, a largenumber of DMRS sequences may be used, and achieved by cyclic shifts of abase sequence. DMRS can enhance MIMO transmission and each wirelessdevice 130 can use different DMRS sequences. The DMRS can be mapped tothe PUSCH in multiples of 12 sub-carriers, while the DMRS mapped to thePUCCH can be in terms of 12 sub-carriers. The DMRS is similar to the SRSin that both use constant amplitude zero autocorrelation (CAZAC)sequences. Meanwhile, other types of reference signals and parametersthereof that are not described herein can be envisioned by those havingordinary skill in the art, including phase tracking reference signals(PTRS), channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS), and so on.

Access node 110 can be any network node configured to providecommunication between wireless devices 130 and communication network101, including standard access nodes such as a macro-cell access node,base transceiver station, a radio base station, an eNodeB device, anenhanced eNodeB device, an a next generation or gigabit NodeB device(gNodeB) in 5G networks, or the like. In an exemplary embodiment, amacro-cell access node can have a coverage area in the range ofapproximately five kilometers to thirty-five kilometers and an outputpower in the tens of watts. Alternatively, access node 110 may compriseany short range, low power, small-cell access node such as a microcellaccess node, a picocell access node, a femtocell access node, or a homeeNodeB/gNodeB device.

Access node 110 can comprise a processor and associated circuitry toexecute or direct the execution of computer-readable instructions toperform operations such as those further described herein. Briefly,access node 110 can retrieve and execute software from storage, whichcan include a disk drive, a flash drive, memory circuitry, or some othermemory device, and which can be local or remotely accessible. Thesoftware comprises computer programs, firmware, or some other form ofmachine-readable instructions, and may include an operating system,utilities, drivers, network interfaces, applications, or some other typeof software, including combinations thereof. Further, access node 110can receive instructions and other input at a user interface. Accessnode 110 communicates with gateway node 102 and controller node 104 viacommunication link 106. Access node 110 may communicate with each other,and other access nodes (not shown), using a wireless link or a wiredlink such as an X2 link. Components of exemplary access node 110 andprocessing nodes coupled thereto are further described with reference toFIGS. 2-3 .

Wireless devices 130 may be any device, system, combination of devices,or other such communication platform capable of communicating wirelesslywith access node 110 using one or more frequency bands deployedtherefrom. Wireless devices 130 may be, for example, a mobile phone, awireless phone, a wireless modem, a personal digital assistant (PDA), avoice over internet protocol (VoIP) phone, a voice over packet (VOP)phone, or a soft phone, as well as other types of devices or systemsthat can send and receive audio or data. Other types of communicationplatforms are possible.

Communication network 101 can be a wired and/or wireless communicationnetwork, and can comprise processing nodes, routers, gateways, andphysical and/or wireless data links for carrying data among variousnetwork elements, including combinations thereof, and can include alocal area network a wide area network, and an internetwork (includingthe Internet). Communication network 101 can be capable of carryingdata, for example, to support voice, push-to-talk, broadcast video, anddata communications by wireless devices 130. Wireless network protocolscan comprise MBMS, code division multiple access (CDMA) 1×RTT, GlobalSystem for Mobile communications (GSM), Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS), High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA),Evolution Data Optimized (EV-DO), EV-DO rev. A, Third GenerationPartnership Project Long Term Evolution (3GPP LTE), WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Fourth Generationbroadband cellular (4G, LTE Advanced, etc.), and Fifth Generation mobilenetworks or wireless systems (5G, 5G New Radio (“5G NR”), or 5G LTE).Wired network protocols that may be utilized by communication network101 comprise Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Local Talk (suchas Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance), Token Ring,Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), and Asynchronous Transfer Mode(ATM). Communication network 101 can also comprise additional basestations, controller nodes, telephony switches, internet routers,network gateways, computer systems, communication links, or some othertype of communication equipment, and combinations thereof.

Communication link 106 can use various communication media, such as air,space, metal, optical fiber, or some other signal propagationpath—including combinations thereof. Communication link 106 can be wiredor wireless and use various communication protocols such as Internet,Internet protocol (IP), local-area network (LAN), S1, opticalnetworking, hybrid fiber coax (HFC), telephony, T1, or some othercommunication format—including combinations, improvements, or variationsthereof. Wireless communication links can be a radio frequency,microwave, infrared, or other similar signal, and can use a suitablecommunication protocol, for example, Global System for Mobiletelecommunications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA),Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Long TermEvolution (LTE), 5G NR, or combinations thereof. Other wirelessprotocols can also be used. Communication link 106 can be direct linksor might include various equipment, intermediate components, systems,and networks, such as a cell site router, etc. Communication link 106may comprise many different signals sharing the same link. Communicationlink 106 may be associated with many different reference points, such asN1-Nxx, as well as S1-Sxx, etc.

Gateway node 102 can be any network node configured to interface withother network nodes using various protocols. Gateway node 102 cancommunicate user data over system 100. Gateway node 102 can be astandalone computing device, computing system, or network component, andcan be accessible, for example, by a wired or wireless connection, orthrough an indirect connection such as through a computer network orcommunication network. For example, gateway node 102 can include aserving gateway (SGW), a public data network gateway (PGW), and/or asystems architecture evolution gateway (SAE-GW) associated with 4G LTEnetworks, or a user plane function (UPF) associated with 5G NR networks.One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that gateway node 102is not limited to any specific technology architecture, such as LongTerm Evolution (LTE) or 5G NR and can be used with any networkarchitecture and/or protocol.

Gateway node 102 can comprise a processor and associated circuitry toexecute or direct the execution of computer-readable instructions toobtain information. Gateway node 102 can retrieve and execute softwarefrom storage, which can include a disk drive, a flash drive, memorycircuitry, or some other memory device, and which can be local orremotely accessible. The software comprises computer programs, firmware,or some other form of machine-readable instructions, and may include anoperating system, utilities, drivers, network interfaces, applications,or some other type of software, including combinations thereof. Gatewaynode 102 can receive instructions and other input at a user interface.

Controller node 104 can be any network node configured to communicateinformation and/or control information over system 100. Controller node104 can be configured to transmit control information associated with ahandover procedure. Controller node 104 can be a standalone computingdevice, computing system, or network component, and can be accessible,for example, by a wired or wireless connection, or through an indirectconnection such as through a computer network or communication network.For example, controller node 104 can include a mobility managemententity (MME), a control gateway (SGW-C or PGW-C), a session managementfunction (SMF), access and mobility function (AMF), a home subscriberserver (HSS), a policy control and charging rules function (PCRF), anauthentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) node, a rightsmanagement server (RMS), a subscriber provisioning server (SPS), apolicy server, etc. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognizethat controller node 104 is not limited to any specific technologyarchitecture, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or 5G NR, and can beused with any network architecture and/or protocol.

Controller node 104 can comprise a processor and associated circuitry toexecute or direct the execution of computer-readable instructions toobtain information. Controller node 104 can retrieve and executesoftware from storage, which can include a disk drive, a flash drive,memory circuitry, or some other memory device, and which can be local orremotely accessible. In an exemplary embodiment, controller node 104includes a database 105 for storing information related to components ofsystem 100, such as historic channel conditions of wireless airinterface 115, channel condition reports from wireless devices 130, andso on. This information may be requested by or shared with access node110 via communication links 106, 107, X2 connections, and so on. Thesoftware comprises computer programs, firmware, or some other form ofmachine-readable instructions, and may include an operating system,utilities, drivers, network interfaces, applications, or some other typeof software, and combinations thereof. Further, controller node 104 canreceive instructions and other input at a user interface.

Other network elements may be present in system 100 to facilitatecommunication but are omitted for clarity, such as base stations, basestation controllers, mobile switching centers, dispatch applicationprocessors, and location registers such as a home location register orvisitor location register. Furthermore, other network elements that areomitted for clarity may be present to facilitate communication, such asadditional processing nodes, routers, gateways, and physical and/orwireless data links for carrying data among the various networkelements, e.g. between access node 110 and communication network 101.

Further, the methods, systems, devices, networks, access nodes, andequipment described herein may be implemented with, contain, or beexecuted by one or more computer systems and/or processing nodes. Themethods described above may also be stored on a non-transitory computerreadable medium. Many of the elements of communication system 100 maybe, comprise, or include computers systems and/or processing nodes. Thisincludes, but is not limited to: access node 110, gateway(s) 102,controller node 104, and/or network 101.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary processing node 200. Processing node 200comprises a communication interface 202, user interface 204, andprocessing system 206 in communication with communication interface 202and user interface 204. Processing system 206 includes a centralprocessing unit (CPU) 208, and a memory 210, which can comprise a diskdrive, flash drive, memory circuitry, or other memory device. Memory 210can store computer programs, firmware, or some other form ofmachine-readable instructions, including an operating system, utilities,drivers, network interfaces, applications, or some other type ofsoftware. Processing system 206 may include other circuitry to retrieveand execute software 212 from memory 210. Processing node 200 mayfurther include other components such as a power management unit, acontrol interface unit, etc., which are omitted for clarity.Communication interface 202 permits processing node 200 to communicatewith other network elements. User interface 204 permits theconfiguration and control of the operation of processing node 200.

Further, memory 210 can store a software 212, which may be executed toperform the operations described herein. In an exemplary embodiment,software 212 can include instructions for adjusting reference signalreporting based on uplink channel conditions by obtaining channelconditions for a communication channel between a wireless device and anaccess node and, based on the channel conditions, adjusting a referencesignal reporting parameter for the wireless device. In another exemplaryembodiment, software 212 can include instructions for adjustingreference signal reporting by determining that a path loss of a wirelessdevice exceeds a threshold, and increasing a reference signal reportingfrequency for the wireless device. In another exemplary embodiment,software 212 can include instructions for adjusting reference signalreporting by determining that a fading parameter of a wireless deviceexceeds a threshold, and increasing a reference signal reportingfrequency for the wireless device. These operations can be performingfor one or more wireless devices individually, or for all wirelessdevices within a sector. In another exemplary embodiment, software 212can include instructions for adjusting reference signal reporting bymonitoring channel conditions of a communication channel between awireless device and an access node, and responsive to changes in thechannel conditions, adjusting one or more reference signal reportingparameters for the wireless device. In another exemplary embodiment,software 212 can include instructions for adjusting reference signalreporting by monitoring channel conditions of a communication channelbetween one or more wireless devices within a sector and an access node,and responsive to changes in the channel conditions, adjusting one ormore reference signal reporting parameters for all the wireless deviceswithin the sector.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary access node 310. Access node 310 maycomprise, for example, a macro-cell access node, such as access node 110described with reference to FIG. 1 . Access node 310 is illustrated ascomprising a processor 311, memory 312, a transceiver 313, and antennae314 (hereinafter referred to as antenna elements 314). Processor 311executes instructions stored on memory 312, and transceiver 313 (inconjunction with antenna elements 314) enable wireless communicationrespectively at least two wireless air interfaces, such as 4G LTE and 5GNR. For example, access node 310 may be configured to transmit controlinformation using a first set of antennae elements 314 configured toutilize a 4G LTE interface, and data information using a second set ofantennae elements 314 configured to utilize a 5G NR air interface.Alternatively or in addition, each separate air interface maintains itsown control and data transmissions. Further, antenna elements 314 mayinclude an array of antenna elements that are configured to deploy airinterfaces over one or more wireless sectors, form beams within thesesectors, employ multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO), etc.

In an exemplary embodiment, memory 312 can store instructions foradjusting reference signal reporting based on uplink channel conditionsby obtaining channel conditions for a communication channel between awireless device and an access node and, based on the channel conditions,adjusting a reference signal reporting parameter for the wirelessdevice. In another exemplary embodiment, memory 312 can includeinstructions for adjusting reference signal reporting by determiningthat a path loss of a wireless device exceeds a threshold, andincreasing a reference signal reporting frequency for the wirelessdevice. In another exemplary embodiment, memory 312 can includeinstructions for adjusting reference signal reporting by determiningthat a fading parameter of a wireless device exceeds a threshold, andincreasing a reference signal reporting frequency for the wirelessdevice. These operations can be performing for one or more wirelessdevices individually, or for all wireless devices within a sector. Inanother exemplary embodiment, memory 312 can include instructions foradjusting reference signal reporting by monitoring channel conditions ofa communication channel between a wireless device and an access node,and responsive to changes in the channel conditions, adjusting one ormore reference signal reporting parameters for the wireless device. Inanother exemplary embodiment, memory 312 can include instructions foradjusting reference signal reporting by monitoring channel conditions ofa communication channel between one or more wireless devices within asector and an access node, and responsive to changes in the channelconditions, adjusting one or more reference signal reporting parametersfor all the wireless devices within the sector.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary collocated 5G EN-DC radio access network(RAN) 401. RAN 401 includes a pair of collocated access nodes (e.g.eNodeB 410, and gNodeB 411), and may include other components not shownherein for convenience, such as cell site routers, controllers, etc.Further, RAN 401 may be connected to other intermediate or corenetworks. In this exemplary embodiment, eNodeB 410 can be configured todeploy a wireless interface 415 using a first radio access technology(RAT), e.g. 4G LTE, and gNodeB 411 can be configured to deploy a secondwireless interface 416 using a second RAT, e.g. 5G NR. Each RAT can beconfigured to utilize a different frequency band or sub-band, adifferent channel size or bandwidth, and so on. For example, the 5G NRwireless interface 416 can be configured to utilize higher frequenciesand larger channel bandwidths than the 4G LTE wireless interface 415.

Further, access nodes 410, 411 can be configured to communicate usingboth RATs at the same time. For example, dual connections can be set upwith any of wireless devices 430 using both 4G and 5G air interfaces415, 416, the 4G wireless air interface 415 being used to transmitcontrol information, and the 5G wireless air interface 416 being used totransmit data information. For example, a processing node within RAN 401(for example, communicatively coupled to eNodeB 410, gNodeB 411, or anyother network node) can be configured to determine whether or notwireless devices 430 are capable of communicating using both RATs (e.g.capable of 5G EN-DC), and instruct the eNodeB 410 to broadcast anindicator in, for example, a system information message. Responsive tothe indicator, wireless devices 430 can attach to eNodeB 410 which canuse the 4G carrier to control and set up a dual connectivity sessionwith the wireless devices 430. In other words, control information(including SIB messages) is transmitted from the eNodeB 410 using the 4GLTE air interface, while the 5G NR air interface is utilized fortransmission of data via gNodeB 411. Using the 5G RAT for datatransmissions is advantageous, as 5G provides higher bandwidths andfrequencies versus 4G. In addition, while different carriers offerdifferent channel bandwidths, certain combinations of carriers mayprovide a greater aggregate channel bandwidth. Further, within radioaccess network 402, eNodeB 410 and gNodeB 411 can be coupled via adirect communication link 407, which can include an X2 communicationlink. eNodeB 410 and gNodeB 411 can communicate control and datainformation across X2 communication link 407. In an exemplaryembodiment, gNodeB 411 includes logic to determine how to allocate datapackets between eNodeB 410 and gNodeB 411, wherein the data packets flowbetween wireless devices 430 and any external network node. Such logicmay include a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) function. Thus,RAN 401 can include a plurality of antenna elements (not shown herein)coupled to eNodeB 410 and gNodeB 411, with different antenna elementsconfigured to deploy a different radio air interface using a differentfrequency.

Further, the processing node within RAN 401 can be configured to performoperations for adjusting reference signal reporting based on channelconditions by obtaining channel conditions for communication channel(s)over wireless air interfaces 415, 416 (between one or more of wirelessdevices 430 and eNodeb 410 and/or gNodeB 411), and adjusting a referencesignal reporting parameter for the one or more of wireless devices 430based on the channel conditions. The adjusted reference signal reportingparameters can be transmitted to the wireless device(s) 430 e.g. in anRRC message or equivalent. The obtaining and adjusting operations can beperformed individually for each wireless device 430, such that differentwireless devices 430 utilize different time periods or frequencies ofreporting reference signals. Alternatively or in addition, channelconditions are obtained for a plurality of communication channels overwireless air interfaces 415, 416 between wireless devices 430 and eNodeB410 and/or egNodeB 411, and a sector-wide reference signal reportingparameter for the plurality of wireless devices 430 in the wirelesssector is determined based on the channel conditions. For example, anaverage path loss, cell edge condition, or fading parameter can bedetermined for wireless devices 430. The sector-wide reference signalreporting parameter can be broadcast to all wireless devices 430 withinthe sector. As described herein, the channel conditions can include oneor more of a path loss or a fading parameter. The path loss can bemeasured between a transmit power of a signal transmitted by a wirelessdevice 430 and received power of the signal received at the access node410. The path loss may be measured at the eNodeB 410 and/or gNodeB 411based on a known transmit power of the wireless device 430. Upondetermining an increase in the path loss or fading parameter, thereference signal reporting parameter can be adjusted. For example, ifthe reference signal reporting parameter is a frequency, then thefrequency is increased responsive to the path loss or fading parameterincreasing past a threshold. Further, the reference signal reportingparameter is associated with an uplink signal. For example, the uplinksignal can include one or more of: a sounding reference signal (SRS), ademodulation reference signal (DMRS), or a phase tracking referencesignal (PTRS). Other types of reference signals and parameters thereofthat are not described herein can be envisioned by those having ordinaryskill in the art, including phase tracking reference signals (PTRS),channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS), and so on.

Further in this embodiment, the channel conditions areobtained/monitored for one or both wireless air interfaces 415, 416 andthe reference signal parameter is adjusted for said at least one of thetwo RATs. For example, if the eNodeB 410 is transmitting controlinformation via beamforming, then the channel conditions for 4G wirelessair interface 415 are monitored, and reporting parameter for 4G wirelessair interface 415 is adjusted. Whereas, if the gNodeB 411 istransmitting beamformed or MIMO data, then the channel conditions areobtained/monitored (and reporting parameter adjusted) for the 5Gwireless air interface 416.

FIG. 5 depicts reference signal reporting adjustment performed in anexemplary distributed 5G EN-DC system. Each of RANs 501, 502, 503includes at least access nodes 510, 511, 512 respectively. Thisembodiment depicts a one-to-many configuration, in which an access nodeconfigured as an eNodeB 510 is designated as a primary access node forwireless devices 530, and one or more access nodes configured as gNodeBs511, 512 are selected as secondary access nodes, as further describedbelow. Persons having ordinary skill in the art may note that othercomponents may be included in any combination, without materiallyaffecting the scope and spirit of the described embodiments.

In this exemplary embodiment, eNodeB 510 can be configured to deploy awireless interface 515 using a first radio access technology (RAT), e.g.4G LTE, and gNodeBs 511, 512 can be configured to deploy wirelessinterfaces using a second RAT, e.g. 5G NR. Further, access nodes 510,511, 512 can be configured to communicate using both RATs at the sametime. For example, dual connections can be set up with wireless devices530 using both 4G and 5G air interfaces respectively, the 4G wirelessinterface 515 being used to transmit control information, and one of the5G wireless interfaces (e.g. 5G interface 516) being used to transmitdata information. For example, a processing node communicatively coupledto eNodeB 510 can be configured to determine whether or not wirelessdevices 530 are capable of communicating using both RATs (e.g. capableof 5G EN-DC), and instruct the eNodeB 510 to broadcast an indicator in,for example, a system information message. Responsive to the indicator,wireless devices 530 can attach to eNodeB 510 which can use the 4Gcarrier to control and set up a dual connectivity session with wirelessdevices 530. Further, eNodeB 510 can be configured to select one (ormore) of gNodeBs 511, 512 as a secondary access node, to transport userdata. In other words, control information (including SIB messages) istransmitted from the eNodeB 510 using the 4G LTE air interface, whilethe 5G NR air interfaces (e.g. 5G NR air interface 516) is utilized fortransmission of data. Further, gNodeBs 511 and 512 (hereinafter“secondary access nodes”) can each be coupled to eNodeB 510 (hereinafter“primary access node”) via X2 communication links. In an exemplaryembodiment, each secondary access node 511, 512 can include logic todetermine how to allocate data packets between the access nodes, whereinthe data packets flow between wireless devices 530 and a network nodenot shown herein. Such logic may include a packet data convergenceprotocol (PDCP) function.

Further, a processing node communicatively coupled to any of eNodeB 510and/or gNodeBs 511, 512 can be configured to allocate air interfaceresources to wireless devices 530 by identifying wireless devices 530 asbeing within range of one of access nodes 510-512, and preferentiallyallocating air interface resources to the wireless devices 530 based ona bandwidth capability of each wireless device 530. The bandwidthcapability can be associated with a capability of each wireless device530 to participate in 4G LTE, 5G NR, or any other radio accesstechnology (RAT). Allocating or scheduling the resources can furtherinclude scheduling uplink resources for reference signals from wirelessdevices 530. For example, a channel condition indicator is received fromone or more of wireless devices 530, and it is determined whether or notthe channel condition indicator meets or exceeds one or more thresholds.Based on this, a reference signal reporting parameter is adjusted, asdescribed herein. Various other combinations of these operations may beenvisioned by those having ordinary skill in the art in light of thisdisclosure, including the operations further described below withreference to FIGS. 6-8 .

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary method for adjusting reference signalreporting in dual-connectivity wireless networks based on channelconditions. The method of FIG. 6 may be implemented by a processing nodecommunicatively coupled to one or more access nodes, controller nodes,or any other network node. Although FIG. 6 depicts steps performed in aparticular order for purposes of illustration and discussion, theoperations discussed herein are not limited to any particular order orarrangement. One skilled in the art, using the disclosures providedherein, will appreciate that various steps of the methods can beomitted, rearranged, combined, and/or adapted in various ways.

At 610, channel conditions are obtained and/or monitored for one or morewireless devices attached to an access node and, at 620, referencesignal reporting parameters are adjusted based on the channelconditions. The access node can include a combination of a 4G eNodeB anda 5G gNodeB that is configured to communicate using 4G LTE as well using5G NR. In some embodiments, the access node can include a 4G eNodeBcoupled to a plurality of 5G. Exemplary channel conditions that aremonitored to determine how to adjust the reference signal reportingparameter can include one or more of a path loss or a fading parameter.For example, a magnitude of a path loss as reported by wireless devicescan be used to adjust the reference signal reporting frequency orperiod. Alternatively or in addition, a fading parameter or a cell edgesignal condition can be used to adjust the reference signal reportingfrequency or period. Therefore, determining an increase in the path losscan trigger an increase in a reference signal reporting frequency.Further, the reference signal reporting parameter is associated with anuplink signal. For example, the uplink signal can include any of asounding reference signal (SRS), a demodulation reference signal (DMRS),or a phase tracking reference signal (PTRS). While the subjectdisclosure presents details related to these uplink signals and theirparameters, other parameters for different reference signals andadjustments thereof may be envisioned by those having ordinary skill inthe art in light of this disclosure. The adjusted reference signalreporting parameter can be transmitted to the wireless device, forexample, in a radio resource control message or similar.

Further, the communication channel for which channel conditions areobtained/monitored can utilize at least two radio access technologies(RATs), such that the channel condition is associated with at least oneof the two RATs, and the reference signal parameter is adjusted for saidat least one of the two RATs. For example, different RAN configurationsfor EN-DC capable access nodes are described, with each RANconfiguration enabling participation in dual-connectivity using at leasttwo RATs. Each access node can include a primary access node configuredto deploy carriers utilizing the first RAT, and the primary access nodeis coupled to one or more secondary access nodes, each secondary accessnode configured to deploy carriers utilizing a second RAT.Alternatively, each access node comprises a secondary access nodeconfigured to deploy carriers utilizing the second RAT, the secondaryaccess node being coupled to a primary access node configured to deploycarriers utilizing the first RAT.

FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary method for adjusting reference signalreporting for wireless devices individually. The method of FIG. 7 may beimplemented by a processing node communicatively coupled to one or moreaccess nodes, controller nodes, or any other network node. Although FIG.7 depicts steps performed in a particular order for purposes ofillustration and discussion, the operations discussed herein are notlimited to any particular order or arrangement. One skilled in the art,using the disclosures provided herein, will appreciate that varioussteps of the methods can be omitted, rearranged, combined, and/oradapted in various ways.

At 710, an increase in a path loss and/or fading parameter is determinedfor a wireless device and, at 720 a frequency of reference signalreporting is increased for the wireless device. The path loss and/orfading parameter may be among several exemplary channel conditions thatare monitored to determine how to adjust the reference signal reportingparameter. For example, a magnitude of a path loss as reported bywireless devices can be used to adjust the reference signal reportingfrequency or period. Alternatively or in addition, a fading parameter ora cell edge signal condition can be used to adjust the reference signalreporting frequency or period. Therefore, determining an increase in thechannel condition can trigger an increase in a reference signalreporting frequency. Further, the reference signal reporting parameteris associated with an uplink signal. For example, the uplink signal caninclude any of a sounding reference signal (SRS), a demodulationreference signal (DMRS), or a phase tracking reference signal (PTRS).

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary method for adjusting reference signalreporting in dual-connectivity wireless networks based on channelconditions. The method of FIG. 8 may be implemented by a processing nodecommunicatively coupled to one or more access nodes, controller nodes,or any other network node. Although FIG. 8 depicts steps performed in aparticular order for purposes of illustration and discussion, theoperations discussed herein are not limited to any particular order orarrangement. One skilled in the art, using the disclosures providedherein, will appreciate that various steps of the methods can beomitted, rearranged, combined, and/or adapted in various ways.

At 810, an increase in a path loss and/or fading parameter is determinedand, at 820 a frequency of reference signal reporting is increased. Thepath loss and/or fading parameter may be among several exemplary channelconditions that are monitored to determine how to adjust the referencesignal reporting parameter. In this case, the channel conditions areobtained for a plurality of communication channels between the pluralityof wireless devices and the access node, and a sector-wide referencesignal reporting parameter is adjusted for the plurality of wirelessdevices in the wireless sector. The sector-wide reference signalreporting parameter can be broadcast to all wireless devices within thesector. For example, an average magnitude of a path loss as reported bywireless devices can be used to adjust the reference signal reportingfrequency or period for the sector. Alternatively or in addition, anaverage fading parameter or a cell edge signal condition can be used toadjust the reference signal reporting frequency or period for thesector. Therefore, determining an increase in the channel conditionswithin the sector can trigger an increase in a reference signalreporting frequency for the sector.

Further, while 4G LTE and 5G NR are described in the above embodiments,the disclosed operations may apply to different combinations of radioair interfaces, including any combination of radio air interfaces withinthe same or different radio-access technologies, such as multipledifferent 4G carriers with different bandwidths, 5G carriers withdifferent bandwidths, or any future wireless technology. So long as thedescribed allocations of resources for relay nodes with differentbandwidth capabilities is performed as described herein, the specificimplementation and network topology is less relevant.

The exemplary systems and methods described herein can be performedunder the control of a processing system executing computer-readablecodes embodied on a computer-readable recording medium or communicationsignals transmitted through a transitory medium. The computer-readablerecording medium is any data storage device that can store data readableby a processing system, and includes both volatile and nonvolatilemedia, removable and non-removable media, and contemplates mediareadable by a database, a computer, and various other network devices.

Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include, but are notlimited to, read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), erasableelectrically programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory or other memorytechnology, holographic media or other optical disc storage, magneticstorage including magnetic tape and magnetic disk, and solid statestorage devices. The computer-readable recording medium can also bedistributed over network-coupled computer systems so that thecomputer-readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.The communication signals transmitted through a transitory medium mayinclude, for example, modulated signals transmitted through wired orwireless transmission paths.

The above description and associated figures teach the best mode of theinvention. The following claims specify the scope of the invention. Notethat some aspects of the best mode may not fall within the scope of theinvention as specified by the claims. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the features described above can be combined in variousways to form multiple variations of the invention. As a result, theinvention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above,but only by the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for adjusting reference signal reportingin dual-connectivity wireless networks based on channel conditions, themethod comprising, obtaining channel conditions for a plurality ofcommunication channels between a plurality of wireless devices and anaccess node within a wireless sector served by the access node; andbased on the channel conditions, adjusting a sector-wide referencesignal reporting parameter for the plurality of wireless devices in thewireless sector.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprisingtransmitting the adjusted reference signal reporting parameter to theplurality of wireless devices.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising broadcasting the sector-wide reference signal reportingparameter to all wireless devices of the plurality of wireless deviceswithin the sector.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the channelconditions comprise one or more of a pathloss or a fading parameter. 5.The method of claim 4, further comprising determining an increase in thepathloss; and increasing the reference signal reporting parameter,wherein the reference signal reporting parameter comprises a frequency.6. The method of claim 1, wherein the reference signal reportingparameter is associated with an uplink signal.
 7. The method of claim 6,wherein the uplink signal comprises one or more of: a sounding referencesignal (SRS), a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), or a phasetracking reference signal (PTRS).
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein: atleast one communication channel of the plurality of communicationchannels utilizes at least two radio access technologies (RATs), thechannel condition is associated with at least one of the two RATs, andthe reference signal parameter is adjusted for said at least one of thetwo RATs.
 9. A system for adjusting reference signal reporting indual-connectivity wireless networks based on channel conditions, thesystem comprising: a processing node; and a processor coupled to theprocessing node configured to perform operations comprising: monitoringchannel conditions for a plurality of communication channels between aplurality of wireless devices and an access node within a wirelesssector served by the access node; and responsive to changes in thechannel conditions, adjusting one or more sector-wide reference signalreporting parameters for the plurality of wireless devices in thewireless sector.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the channelconditions comprise one or more of a pathloss or a fading parameter, andthe reference signal parameters comprise one or more of a reportingfrequency or a timing offset.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein theoperations further comprise determining an increase in the pathloss orthe fading parameter, and increasing the reporting frequency oradjusting the timing offset.
 12. The system of claim 10, wherein theoperations further comprise determining a decrease in the pathloss orthe fading parameter, and reducing the reporting frequency.
 13. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein the operations comprise broadcasting thesector-wide reference signal reporting parameter to all wireless deviceswithin the sector.
 14. A processing node for adjusting reference signalreporting in dual-connectivity wireless networks based on channelconditions, the processing node being configured to perform operationscomprising, monitoring channel conditions for a plurality ofcommunication channels between a plurality of wireless devices and anaccess node within a wireless sector served by the access node; andresponsive to changes in the channel conditions, adjusting one or moresector-wide reference signal reporting parameters for the plurality ofwireless devices in the wireless sector.
 15. The processing node ofclaim 14, wherein the channel conditions comprise one or more of apathloss or a fading parameter, and the reference signal parameterscomprise one or more of a reporting frequency or a timing offset. 16.The processing node of claim 15, further comprising determining anincrease in the pathloss or the fading parameter, and increasing thereporting frequency or adjusting the timing offset.